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	Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse By Travis Morse The Journal-Standard November 28, 2011 www.journalstandard.com/breaking/x310971320/Dakota-man-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-abuse Freeport, Ill. — Dakota resident James W. French has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing an underage girl in Naperville, and a sentencing hearing will likely be held early next year, said Paul Darrah, a spokesman for the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The crime occurred on Nov. 12, 2010, and French was arrested at his Dakota home by Naperville police on the morning of Dec. 2, 2010. According to Darrah, French pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a family member under 18, which is a Class 2 felony. French could face three to seven years in prison, depending on the results of the sentencing hearing. On Monday, a pre-sentence report on French was returned to the court. This report includes information on the defendant's entire life, including his education, childhood, past crimes or addictions (if any), and more, Darrah said. Authorities say that French does not have a criminal record. "The report (includes) things that the judge might take into consideration in sentencing," Darrah said. "This is just basically an overview of the defendant." Few details on the incident have been released, but authorities say the victim is a member of French's family who was under the age of 13 at the time of the offense. Stephen Brundage, French's attorney, was unavailable for comment. French is a founder and former pastor at Indian Grove Country Church in Rock City. Police say he has a connection to the Naperville area, but they have not specified what that connection is. The defendant was also an adjunct professor of history at Rock Valley College in Rockford, according to the Naperville Sun. In December 2010, French was released from DuPage County Jail after posting $25,000 bail, or 10 percent of his $250,000 bond. French is still out on bond, but will remain on "home detention" until a sentence is determined, Darrah said. A firm date for French's sentencing hearing has not yet been set. The case is being heard in DuPage County Circuit Court by Judge Daniel Guerin.
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